Nasdaq 100 hits new high for the year

U.S. equity indexes ended yesterday mixed, with the Russell 2000 seeing the worst of the losses.

The RUT dropped 0.94 percent to close at 823.40, just above support at 820, as it gave up most of the previous session's gains. The small-cap index had traded as high as 831.61, slightly under its 2012 highs, before falling to session lows as late-session profit-taking took over.

The S&P 500 fell 0.13 percent to settle at 1394.28.

The Nasdaq 100 outperformed its peers as Apple surged to another all-time high of $594.72 before closing at $589.58. The NDX rose 0.41 percent to close at a new 2012 high of 2708.41, raising its support and resistance levels.